It’s to the benefit of both
Being neighbours has not helped both countries, Pakistan and India, in becoming, well, neighbourly. With relations taking a hit after the Mumbai incident, both have only recently begun to unwind the tangled ropes that have strangled their relations for far too long. Mistrust still appears to be an issue which could offer a chance to obscurantists to highjack the budding peace process.
The talks at the home secretary-level between New Delhi and Islamabad did not end up the way they were supposed to. This is not withstanding the progress actually made in these talks. Both countries have decided on a relaxed visa regimen while many other issues were at least touched upon. Many were hoping that this crucial meeting results in some tangible progress, but the eleventh hour call from the Pakistanis saying that internal approvals were still missing makes at least the action, if not the intentions, doubtful. Why would you sit with them on a negotiation table if you have not yet cleared it in-house? Who actually here would bless the Pakistani side with internal approvals, if not the political class? Some quarters, those that have always had a say in our foreign policy, might have brought down the enthusiasm level, feeling left out. A rosy picture won’t suit their goals considering what’s going on around our borders.
Ideally, politicians formulate policies while the bureaucracy translates these policies into actionable plans. Rehman Malik’s insistence on having the new visa regimen pact signed by the political class seems nothing other than an attempt at putting a feather in the feeble government’s crown. Moving on should be the key point that is addressed now. Some positive signs can be seen on both sides, but it is still going to be a journey of a thousand miles. Both can benefit from trade through a border that runs throughout the entire eastern side of Pakistan. With greater economic activity, the area could see some much needed progress and a reduction in the poverty that more than 400 million people of both countries live in.